Now You See It, Now You Don’t: How To Embrace The ‘Hidden Kitchen’ Trend
For minimalists where less really is more, concealed kitchens have become the ultimate solution. But is it really possible to create a completely streamlined design? In this article we take a look at this growing trend and explore some innovative solutions to help you create a truly hidden space.
The kitchen has become more than just a place to cook and eat. It’s the heart of the home, a gathering place where families come together, where we entertain friends, and where the hustle and bustle of daily life is played out. This transformation into a multi-functional space has driven a new trend in kitchen design: the hidden kitchen, where appliances and clutter are cleverly concealed to create a seamless, integrated look and feel.
The allure of the hidden kitchen
The appeal of a hidden kitchen lies in its simplicity and versatility. With open-plan living more popular, the kitchen is no longer a separate, enclosed space, which creates a need for a cohesive design. A hidden kitchen allows for a more unified look, where appliances, cooking utensils, and even the kitchen sink can vanish from sight when not in use.
To create a successful hidden kitchen, it’s important to strike the right balance between functionality and aesthetics. Luckily, that’s now easier than ever thanks to the surge in innovative design concepts that conceal kitchen elements while keeping them readily accessible.
Behind closed doors
A simple way to create a hidden kitchen is to conceal appliances behind cupboard doors or within custom cabinetry. However, designers and installers are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, using more sophisticated techniques to hide kitchen essentials.
Induction hobs with integrated worksurfaces
One of the most innovative solutions in the hidden kitchen trend is the integration of induction hobs into the worksurface. This technology is exemplified by innovative products like CookingRAK from RAK Ceramics, which allows the cooktop to be completely hidden when not in use. The induction zones are embedded into the porcelain worksurface, and the controls are touch-sensitive, enabling a completely flat and uninterrupted surface. This concept is particularly appealing for minimalist kitchens, where clean lines and uncluttered spaces are a priority.
A recipient of the prestigious Red Dot Design Award, RAK Ceramics’ innovative CookingRAK features an induction hob that sits beneath, and cooks through, the countertop. It is exclusively produced with RAK Ceramics’ 1.4cm-thick porcelain slabs measuring 144 x 305cm, which are resistant to scratches and staining and capable of withstanding high temperatures. CookingRAK comes in a wide range of colour choices with marble, concrete, stone, wood or metal-effect finishes all available and the induction hob is operated by a remote control or through an app.
Sleek and streamlined extraction
Sleek and streamlined, the new, redesigned BORA X Pure cooktop extractor has an extra-large cooking area, with automatic pan size recognition. When its bridging function is activated, this 4-zone hob is transformed into an extra-large cooking zone measuring 230 x 460mm. This allows users to cook with extra-large pans, which can be problematic on standard induction hobs, and is ideal for batch cooking and those that like to entertain. It is operated by sControl+ , a tricoloured touch control slider or through the BORA JOY app. Its integrated extractor automatically adjusts to clear the steam and cooking smells generated by the induction hob. The BORA X Pure cooktop extractor features enhanced cooking functions such as Boil and Fry Assist which, when combined with the new BORA Pots and Pans Assist range, can help users create optimum results and protect cookware and food.
Offering the best of both worlds, cooktop extractors combine two appliances – an induction hob and cooker hood – into one. Sleek and discreet, they have made the job of bulky, overhead cooker hoods redundant and are appealing to more homeowners who want discrete, streamlined appliances such as BORA’s market-leading cooktop extractors, without sacrificing performance.
Seamless integration
Small appliances that are built into kitchen designs and don’t take up valuable worktop space provide an integrated solution and are becoming hugely popular. Take, for instance, the BORA QVac built-in vacuum sealer – it’s seamlessly integrated into the worktop so it’s always ready to use without the hassle of digging it out off a cupboard. This approach not only saves time but also encourages a more organised, streamlined kitchen environment.
Cut food waste and enhance your kitchen with the high-tech BORA QVac, a built-in vacuum sealer designed for modern living.
The BORA QVac features three versatile functions: it can vacuum seal food in bags or boxes, reseal bottles, and marinate food rapidly. Its advanced marinating ring creates a vacuum that opens food pores, allowing flavours to be absorbed in just ten minutes.
Designed for both functionality and aesthetics, the BORA QVac can be flush-mounted beneath the worktop or surface-mounted, seamlessly integrating into the kitchen without taking up valuable counter space. The auto-stop function ensures that the vacuuming process halts automatically once the desired vacuum level is reached, providing consistent results. An acoustic signal alerts you when the process is complete.
Likewise, multifunctional hot water taps, which dispense steaming water, free the worktop from a cumbersome kettle to provide a streamlined solution. Some models, such as Clearwater’s Longdon tap, also offer filtered cold as well as 98°C filtered hot and standard domestic hot and cold water for added convenience.
A classically styled tap that is packed with the latest technology, Longdon from Clearwater hides some very smart tech behind its softly sculptured exterior. Its 4 in 1 technology is controlled by two elegant ceramic levers, ready to dispense 98°C hot and cold filtered water for drinks and cooking, as well as a standard domestic hot/cold supply.
Available in three PVD finishes — Brushed Bronze, Brushed Brass, and Brushed Nickel — along with Chrome, Longdon is the ideal choice for the busy family kitchen. It features 2-Stage Child Safe operation and a cool touch spout.
The tap is designed for use with Clearwater’s Digital Thermostatic Boiler, a compact unit with a generous 2.4 litre capacity, capable of providing 60 cups of instant kettle hot water per hour.
Ultimately, the hidden kitchen is about creating a space that reflects the changing dynamics of modern living, where the kitchen serves as the central hub yet remains flexible enough to adapt to a variety of uses. It’s a trend that speaks to our desire for simplicity and sophistication, and one that is set to define kitchen designs for many years to come.
Top photo by Kam Idris on Unsplash
